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another world, as to draw thy heart after it, and set thee a labouring heartily for it. The little pains thou bestowest that way, is but in the second place. God hath but the world's leavings, only that time and labour which thou canst spare from the world, or those few, cold, and careless thoughts, which follow thy constant, earnest, and delightful thoughts of earthly things. Neither wouldest thou do any thing at all for heaven, if thou knewest how to keep the world. But lest thou shouldest be turned into hell, when thou canst keep the world no longer, therefore thou wilt do something. For the same reason, thou thinkest the way of God too strict, and wilt not be persuaded to the constant labour of walking according to the gospel rule; and when it comes to the trial, that thou must forsake Christ, or thy worldly happiness, then thou wilt venture heaven rather than earth, and so wilfully deny thy obedience to God. And certainly if God would but give thee leave to live in health and wealth for ever on earth, thou wouldest think it a better state than rest. Let them seek for heaven that would, thou wouldest think this thy chief happiness. This is thy case, if thou art yet an unregenerate person, and hast no title to the saint's rest.

§ 15. And as thou takest God for thy chief good, so thou dost heartily accept of Christ for thy only Saviour and Lord, to bring thee to this rest. The former mark was the sum of the first and great com. mand of the law, "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart." The second mark is the sum of the command of the gospel," Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved." And the performance of these two is the whole of godliness and Christianity. This mark is but the definition of faith. Dost thou heartily consent that Christ alone shall be thy Saviour? and no farther trust to thy duties and works, than as means appointed in subordination to him? and looking at them as not in the least measure able to satisfy the curse of the law, or as a legal

righteousness, or any part of it; but consent to trust thy salvation on the redemption made by Christ? Art thou also content to take him for thy only Lord and King, to govern and guide thee by his laws and Spirit; and to obey him, even when he commandeth the hardest duties, and those which most cross the desires of the flesh? Is it thy sorrow when thou breakest thy resolution herein? and thy joy when thou keepest closest in obedience to him? Wouldest thou not change thy Lord and Master for all the world? Thus is it with every true Christian. But if thou be a hypocrite, it is far otherwise. Thou mayest call Christ thy Lord and thy Saviour: but thou never foundest thyself so lost without him, as to drive thee to seek him, and trust him, and lay thy salvation on him alone. At least thou didst never heartily consent that he should govern thee as thy Lord, nor resign up thy soul and life to be ruled by him, nor take his word for the law of thy thoughts and actions. It is likely thou art content to be saved from hell by Christ when thou diest: but in the mean time he shall command thee no farther than will stand with thy credit, or pleasure, or other worldly ends. And if he would give thee leave, thou hadst far rather live after the world and flesh, than after the word and Spirit. And though thou mayest now and then have a motion or purpose to the contrary; yet this that I have mentioned is the ordinary desire and choice of thy heart. Thou art therefore no true believer in Christ; for though thou confess him in words, yet in works thou dost deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate. This is the case of those that shall be shut out of the saint's rest.

§ 16. Observe, it is the consent of your hearts, or wills, which I especially lay down to be inquired after. I do not ask, whether thou be assured of salvation? nor whether thou canst believe that thy sins are pardoned, and that thou art beloved of God in Christ? These are no parts of justifying faith, but

excellent fruits of it, and they that receive them are comforted by them; but perhaps thou mayest never receive them while thou livest, and yet be a true heir of rest. Do not say then, "I cannot believe that my sins are pardoned, or that I am in God's favour; and therefore I am no true believer." This is a most mistaken conclusion.-The question is, whether thou dost heartily accept of Christ, that thou mayest be pardoned, reconciled to God, and so saved? Dost thou consent that he shall be thy Lord, who hath bought thee, and that he shall bring thee to heaven in his own way? This is justifying, saving faith, and the mark by which thou must try thyself.

Yet still observe, that all this consent must be hearty and real, not feigned or with reservations. It is not saying, as that dissembling son, "I go, sir;" and went not. If any have more of the government of thee than Christ, thou art not his disciple. I am sure these two marks are such as every Christian hath, and none but sincere Christians. O that the Lord would now persuade thee to the close performance of this self-trial! that thou mayest not tremble with horror of soul, when the Judge of all the world shall try thee; but be so able to prove thy title to rest, that the prospect and approach of death and judgment may raise thy spirits, and fill thee with joy.

17. On the whole, as ever Christians would have comforts that will not deceive them, let them make it the great labour of their lives to grow in grace, to strengthen and advance the interest of Christ in their souls, and to weaken and subdue the interest of the flesh. Deceive not yourselves with a persuasion that Christ hath done all, and left you nothing to do. To overcome the world, the flesh, and the devil; and in order to that, to stand always armed upon our watch, and valiantly and patiently to fight it out; is of great importance to our assurance and salvation. Indeed it is so great a part of our baptismal vow, that he who performeth it

not, is no more than a nominal Christian. Not to every one that presumptuously believeth, but to him that overcometh, will Christ give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth, saving he that receiveth it: he shall eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God, and shall not be hurt of the second death. Christ will confess his name before his Father, and before his angels, and make him a pillar in the temple of God, and he shall go no more out; and will write upon him the name of his God, and the name of the city of his God, which is New Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from his God, and will write upon him his new name. Yea, he will grant to him to sit with him on his throne, even as he also overcame, and is set down with his Father on his throne. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.(g)

(g) Rev. ii. 7, 11, 17.—iii. 5, 12, 21, 22.

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CHAP. IX.

The duty of the People of God to excite others to seek this Rest.

§ 1. The author laments that Christians do so little to help others to obtain the saint's rest. § 2 (I.) Shows the nature of this duty; particularly, § 3. (1) In having our hearts affected with the misery of our brethren's souls; § 4, 6. (2) In taking all opportunities to instruct them in the way of salvation; § 7. (3) In promoting their profit by public ordinances. § 8. (II.) He assigns various reasons why this duty is so much neglected, § 9. and answers some objections against it: § 10, 13. Then (III.) arges to the discharge of it, by several considerations: $14. Addressed to such as have knowledge, learning, and utterance; §15. Those that are acquainted with sinners; § 16. Physicians that attend dying men; § 17. Persons o wealth and power; § 18. Ministers; 19. And those that are entrusted with the care of children or servants. § 20. The chapter concludes with an earnest request to Christian parents to be faithful to their trust.

1. HATH God set before us such a glorious prize as the saint's rest, and made us capable of such inconceivable happiness? Why then do not all the children of this kingdom exert themselves more to help others to the enjoyment of it? Alas, how little are poor souls about us beholden to most of us! We see the glory of the kingdom, and they do not: we see the misery of those that are out of it, and they do not: we see some wandering quite out of the way, and know, if they hold on, they can never come there; and they themselves discern it not. And yet we will not seriously show them their danger and error, and help to bring them into the way, that they may live. Alas, how few Christians are there to be found, that set themselves with all their might to save souls! No thanks to us, if heaven be not empty, and if the souls of our brethren perish not for ever. Considering how important this duty is, to the glory of God, and the happiness of men, I will show,-how it is to be per

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